Oct 1, 2026

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Mercer County OSU Extension Educator Beth Guggenbiller joined WCSM's Spectrum to look back at a busy summer and early fall while also encouraging families to begin preparing now for the 2027 4-H year.

Guggenbiller has now worked with OSU Extension for 10 years and recently completed her 10th Mercer County Fair and 10th 4-H camp.

She described her role as much of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Mercer County 4-H moving throughout the year, from communicating with volunteers and helping organize programming to working with youth during the fair.

2026 MERCER COUNTY FAIR

Despite plenty of rain, Guggenbiller described the 2026 Mercer County Fair as another successful year.

She credited Fair Manager Cara Muhlenkamp, the Senior Fair Board, volunteers and others who continued operating events despite challenging weather.

From the OSU Extension side, Guggenbiller primarily works with the Junior Fair, including livestock, special-interest projects and activities involving young exhibitors.

She said participation continues to grow.

Livestock numbers increased across the board, with particularly strong growth in dairy and cattle projects.

The new Grand Event Center also demonstrated its value during its first fair.

With wet conditions outside, horse shows were able to take place indoors, and some cattle could be moved into the building, creating additional room elsewhere on the grounds.

The facility also hosted the new Champion Showcase.

Rather than focusing solely on the traditional auction format, the showcase was designed to highlight the accomplishments of champion exhibitors. Participants were brought into the event by limousine, with special effects adding to the presentation.

Guggenbiller said there was some uncertainty whenever something new was introduced, but response to the showcase was positive and discussions are already taking place about how it can grow in future years.

She said preparations for the next fair also begin much earlier than many people realize.

Young exhibitors may already be looking at the money earned through their projects and deciding how much should be saved for college, how much should be reinvested into next year's animals and how they can better plan their expenses.

Guggenbiller said those discussions can become a financial lesson of their own, as families compare expected feed and animal costs with what they actually spent.

REAL MONEY. REAL WORLD.

Those financial lessons tied directly into another major program Guggenbiller helped organize this year.

Real Money. Real World. is an Ohio State University financial literacy program presented locally with the Grand Lake Regional Educational Service Center.

Mercer County eighth graders worked through lessons with their teachers before attending the hands-on simulation.

Students first selected a salary and calculated what remained after taxes and other paycheck deductions.

When they arrived at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, each student was then given a family scenario.

Some were married. Some had children.

From there, they essentially entered a real-life version of a budgeting game.

Students visited stations where they had to purchase transportation, insurance, housing, clothing and other necessities while staying within their monthly income.

For many students, childcare was one of the biggest surprises.

Guggenbiller said there were numerous “aha moments” as students realized how quickly their available income disappeared.

Some began reconsidering whether they could afford the house they had selected. Others discussed whether spouses might need to work different shifts to reduce childcare costs.

The program also introduced students to options they might not encounter regularly in Mercer County, including public transportation, and helped explain why families in different circumstances make different financial decisions.

LOCAL PROFESSIONALS HELP STUDENTS

Approximately 150 volunteers took part in the event.

Guggenbiller said involving local professionals was particularly valuable because students could interact with people who actually work in the industries being represented.

Insurance professionals could explain insurance expenses. Other volunteers could talk about entertainment, housing, transportation and other parts of a household budget.

The learning also continued after students went home.

Guggenbiller said multiple parents contacted her afterward and said their children began asking questions about their own family's expenses.

Students wanted to know whether their parents paid certain bills, how much things cost and why families make some of the financial choices they do.

Guggenbiller said creating those conversations between students and parents was exactly what organizers hoped would happen.

DREAM BIG CAREER SHOWCASE

After completing Real Money. Real World., students also participated in the DREAM BIG Career Showcase inside the Grand Event Center.

Rather than simply walking past tables at a traditional career fair, students could interact with equipment brought by local businesses and organizations.

They were able to climb into large equipment, explore different industries and speak with people who perform those jobs.

The financial literacy and career portions were designed to work together.

After seeing how expensive adult life can become, students were then immediately introduced to possible career paths that could support the lives they may eventually want.

Guggenbiller said organizers were pleased with how the program worked and plan to continue it next year.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 4-H

Even though the 2026 Mercer County Fair ended in August, planning for the next 4-H year is already beginning.

The enrollment deadline for Mercer County 4-H is March 1, but Guggenbiller stressed that March 1 should not be the day families begin researching the program.

Instead, families interested in 4-H should begin exploring clubs during the fall and winter.

Clubs may begin meeting now or early in the new year as they plan community-service projects, speeches, demonstrations, fundraising and other activities.

Guggenbiller recommends that families contact several clubs in their area and determine which one works best with their schedules.

One club may meet on Sundays while another meets during the week. Different clubs may also have slightly different areas of emphasis, although clubs can accommodate all types of 4-H projects.

CLOVERBUDS AND 4-H MEMBERS

Younger children can also begin experiencing 4-H through Cloverbuds.

Cloverbuds generally includes children from kindergarten through third grade.

They participate in activities and learn about 4-H without taking the same individual livestock or special-interest projects required of older members.

Traditional 4-H project participation begins once a child is in third grade and meets the age requirements.

At that point, members can begin choosing projects, participating in judging and becoming eligible for activities including overnight 4-H camp.

MUCH MORE THAN LIVESTOCK

Guggenbiller also stressed that 4-H goes far beyond livestock.

Traditional options including cooking, clothing and woodworking remain available, but members can also explore natural resources, STEM, home improvement, creative arts and many other subjects.

Self-determined projects allow youth to develop a project around a more specific interest.

Guggenbiller gave examples from her own family that included trees, water, cooking and a project focused on personal characteristics and healthy friendships.

She said there is likely a project available for nearly any interest.

PROJECTS THAT CAN BECOME CAREERS

After 10 years with Mercer County OSU Extension, Guggenbiller said one of the most rewarding things is seeing a childhood 4-H project eventually turn into something much larger.

She has watched young people who began with cake decorating projects later become involved with bakeries and even teach classes themselves.

Others who started with photography projects have grown into photographers.

Not every project has to become a career.

Sometimes learning how to cook, safely use kitchen equipment, work with wood or organize a collection simply gives a young person a practical skill or hobby they can carry into adulthood.

Guggenbiller said families can make 4-H as involved or as simple as works for their schedules.

Most clubs meet approximately once each month, while much of the individual project work can be completed at a family's own pace.

The key is beginning the process early.

The Mercer County 4-H enrollment deadline is March 1.

Families interested in joining can visit the Mercer County 4-H Facebook page or mercer.osu.edu and look for information on how to join 4-H, available clubs and project options.